Baleen plates

Baleen plates are filter-feeding structures found in certain whales, like the blue and humpback whale. They are made of baleen, a flexible material similar to keratin, arranged in fringed, comb-like strips inside the whale's mouth. When the whale feeds, it takes in a large amount of water containing small prey like krill or fish. The whale then closes its mouth and uses its tongue to push the water out through the baleen plates, which trap the food. The whale then swallows the captured prey. Essentially, baleen plates act as natural sieves, allowing whales to efficiently consume large quantities of tiny food.